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Geo-Technical Engineering-I Part-A UNIT-01 History of Soil Mechanics
Geo-Technical Engineering-I Part-A UNIT-01 History of Soil Mechanics
A-horizon 30 to 50cm
B-horizon 60 to 100cm
C1-horizon 3 to 4m
PHASE DIAGRAM:
Va Air Wa
Vv
V Water Wv
Vw Ww
W
Ws
Solid
1=Vs (Soil)
Fig:(2) Soil- three phase diagram representing a soil mass (Partially saturated),(Volumes and weights of phases).
Saturated Unit Weight (γsat): The saturated unit weight is defined as the bulk unit weight of the soil mass in the saturated condition.
This is denoted by the letter symbol γsat and it is expressed interms of gm/cc or t/m3 or KN/m3.
Submerged (Buoyant) Unit weight (γ' or γsub): The submerged unit weight or Buoyant unit weight is defined as it is the submerged
weight of soil solids (Ws)sub per unit of total volume of the soil. It is denoted by the letter symbol γ' or γsub.
γ' or γsub.= (Ws)sub (10)
V
(Ws)sub is equal to the weight of solids in air minus the weight of water displaced by the solids. This leads to;
(Ws)sub=Ws-Vs.γw (11)
Va Air Wa
V Vv Water Wv
Vw Ww
Ws
Solid (Soil)
1=Vs
Fig: (3) Soil- three phase diagram (Volumes and weights of phases) showing additional equivalents on the weight side.
Jan/Feb/2006
1. Derive relationship between void ratio, water content, specific gravity and degree of Saturation.
Solution: Procedure.
1. Draw the three phase soil system diagram (As shown in figure above (3).
2. By definition;
w =Ww/Ws, as fraction…….(a)
Sr =Vw/VV, as fraction……. (b)
e =Vv/Vs……--------------------------- (c)
3. Sr.e =Vw/VvXVv/Vs=Vw/Vs… (1)
4. w =Ww/Ws=Vw.γw/ Vs.γs
= Vw.γw/ VsG.γw--------------------------G=γs/γw
=Vw/Vs.G=e.Sr/G-------(From eqn.1)
w.G=e.Sr (1)
(Note: This is valid even if both and Sr are expressed as percentage). For saturated condition, Sr=1.
Wsat=e/G or e=Wsat.G (2)
July/2005 and Jan/2007
2. Considering soil as a three phase system, derive an expression for the density of the soil in the form γd=(1- ηa)G γw/1+wG
with usual notations.
Solution: Procedure.
1. Draw the three phase soil system diagram (As shown in figure above (3)).
2. By definition;
V=Va+Vw+Vd……….(a)
3. Replace volume of water by weight ,of equation(a)
V=Va+Ww/ γw+Wd/ γs
4. Dividing by V, we get
V/V=Va/V+Ww/V.γw+Wd/V.γs
1= Va/V+w.Wd/V.γw+Wd/V.γs
1= ηaw.Wd/V.γw+Wd/V.γs………… (ηa=Va/V).
1- ηa= w.Wd/V.γw+Wd/V.γs
=w. γd/ γw+ γd/ γs
= w. γd/ γw+ γd/ G.γw…………….. (G= γs/ γw)
= γd/ γw(w+1/G)
γd =(1- ηa) γw/(w+1/G)
Multiplying G on right side top & bottom
γd=(1- ηa)G γw/1+wG (1)
Compiled by: Prof.B.S.Chawhan M.Tech(Geo-Tech Engg), Asst.Professor,CED,Government.Engineering College,Haveri-581110(12/4/2011-Till date) 6
Jan/2005
3.With usual notation, show that γb= (G+Se)/(1+e) γw.
Solution: Procedure.
1. Draw the three phase soil system diagram (As shown in figure above (3).
2. By definition;
γb=Ws+Ww/V=(Vsγs+w.Ws)/Vs(1+e)
where,(V=Vs+e=Vs+Vv/Vs=1+e=Vs(1+e) by L.C.M………..Vs=1
= Vs.G.γw+w.Ws/Vs (1+e)------------ G =γw/γs
=Vs.G.γw +w.Ws =Gγw + w.γs =Gγw +w.G.γw =Gγw(1+w) =(G+wG)γw=(G+e.Sr)γw
Vs(1+e) Vs(1+e) (1+e) (1+e) 1+e 1+e 1+e 1+e 1+e
γ =(G+eS) γ /1+e (1)
b w
July/2004
4.With the usual notations, derive from first principles an expression for Sr=w/ [γw/ γb(1+w)-1/G.
Solution: Procedure.
1. Draw the three phase soil system diagram(As shown in figure above(3)).
2. We know that;
γb=G.γw(1+w)/1+e (1)
3. e=wG/Sr (2)
4.γb=Gγw (1+w) /1+wG/Sr
5. Riversing both sides,
γw(1+w)=1+wG/Sr
γb G
=1+ w --------------------(dividing by G on top & bottom of RHS)
G Sr
Or
w= γw(1+w)- 1
Sr γ b G
Sr= w (3)
γw(1+w)- 1
γb G
Jan/2003
1. Derive an expression for buoyant unit eight of soil in the form γ'=(G-1) γw/1+e
Solution: Procedure.
1. Draw the three phase soil system diagram (As shown in figure above(3)).
2. The submerged unit weight γ' may be written as;
γ'= γsat- γw
= [(G+e) γw/1+e]- γw
= γw[G+e -1]
1+e
γ'=(G-1) γw (1)
1+e
Jan/2006
1. How many cubic meters of soil can be formed with void ratio of 0.5 from 100m3 of soil having void ratio 0.7?
Solution: Given data
a. V=? for e=0.5
b. V=100m3 of e=0.7
To find: V=?
Procedure:
1. Draw a three phase soil diagram.
Compiled by: Prof.B.S.Chawhan M.Tech(Geo-Tech Engg), Asst.Professor,CED,Government.Engineering College,Haveri-581110(12/4/2011-Till date) 7
Va Air Wa
V Vv Water Wv
Vw Ww
Ws
Solid (Soil)
1=Vs
2.γdmin=G γw
1+emin
emin= G γw -1
γdmin
=2.6X9.81 -1=0.7004
15
3. We have;
ID = emax-e
emax-emin
Compiled by: Prof.B.S.Chawhan M.Tech(Geo-Tech Engg), Asst.Professor,CED,Government.Engineering College,Haveri-581110(12/4/2011-Till date) 8
-e=IDX(emax-emin)-emax
-e=0.74X(0.2753-0.7004)-0.2753
-e=-0.589874
e=0.589874
4. In-situ porosity n;
n= e =Vv
1+e V
n= 0.589874/1+0.589874
n=0.371 or 37.10%
Jan/2005
3. A fully saturated soil sample has a water content of 27% and bulk unit weight of 19.5KN/m3. Compute: i) Dry unit weight,
ii) Specific gravity of soil solids, iii) Void ratio and iv) Porosity.
Solution: Given data
a.w=27%, b. γb= 19.5KN/m3. c. Sr= 1…..(fully saturated)
To find :
a.γd=?, b. G=?, c. e=?, d. n=?
1. Dry density:
γd= γb/1+w=19.5/1+0.27=15.354KN/m3.
2. Specific gravity:
G= γs/γw=15.354/9.81=1.565
3. Void ratio:
e =wG/Sr=0.27X1.565/1=0.422
4. Porosity:
n= e/1+e=0.422/1+0.422=0.297 or 29.71%
July/2004
4. A partially saturated soil from an earth fill has a natural water content of 22% and a bulk unit weight of 18.5KN/m3.
Assuming that the specific gravity of soil solids is 2.67, compute the degree of saturation and void ratio. If subsequently the
soil gets saturated, determine the dry unit weight, buoyant unit weight and saturated unit weight.
Solution: Given data
a. w=22%, b. γb=18.5KN/m3, c. G=2.67.
To find; i.a. Sr=?, b. e=?
ii.a.Sr=1.
To find; a. γd=?, b. γ'=?, c. γsat=?
Procedure:
1st case;
1. Dry density;
γd= γb/1+w=18.5/1+0.22=15.163KN/m3.
2. We have;
γd= Gγw/1+e
1+e= Gγw/ γd
e= (Gγw/ γd)-1
e =(2.67X9.81/15.163)-1
e=0.727
3. Degree of saturation;
Sr=wG/e
=0.22X2.67/0.727
=0.8076
Or
Sr= 80.76%.
2nd Case;
1. Dry density;
γd= γb/1+w=18.5/1+0.22=15.163KN/m3.
2.γsat= (G+e) γw
1+e
γsat =(2.67+0.727)X9.81= 19.296KN/m3.
1+0.727
3. Buoyant unit weight;
γ'= γsat- γw=19.296-9.81=9.486KN/m3.
Compiled by: Prof.B.S.Chawhan M.Tech(Geo-Tech Engg), Asst.Professor,CED,Government.Engineering College,Haveri-581110(12/4/2011-Till date) 9
Jan/2004
5. A soil sample weighing 16.5KN/m3 has a water content of 28.5%. The specific gravity of soil particle is 2.7. Determine i). dry
unit weight, ii) void ratio, iii) porosity & iv) degree of saturation.
Solution: Given data:
a. γb=16.5KN/m3, b. w=28%, c. G=2.7
To find; a. γd=?, b. e=?, c.n=? and d.Sr=?
Procedure:
1. Dry density;
γd= γb/1+w=16.5/1+0.28=12.89KN/m3.
2. Void ratio:
γd= Gγw
1+e
1+e= Gγw/γd
e= (Gγw/γd)-1
e=(2.7X9.81/12.89)-1
e=0.054
3. Porosity;
n=e/1+e=1.054/1+1.054=0.513 or 51.35%
4. Degree of saturation;
Sr=wg/e
Sr=0.28X2.7/1.054=0.7172 or 71.72%
Jan/2003
6. A sample of clay soil of volume 1x10-3m3 and weight 0.0174KN, after being dried out in an oven had a weight of 0.01368KN.
If the specific gravity of the particles was 2.69, find for the sample in its original condition. i) the water content, ii) the void
ratio, iii) the saturated unit weight and iv) the dry unit weight.
Solution: Given data;
a.V=1X10-3m3, b. Wt= 0.017KN(wet), c. Wd= 0.01368KN, d. G=2.69
To find: a. w=?, b.e=?, c. ηa=? , d. γsat=? and e.γd=?.
Procedure:
1. Water content(w);
w= Weight of water X100
Weight of dry soil
w=(0.01762-0.01368) X100 =28.80%
0.01368
2. Bulk unit weight (γb);
γb= Wet weight= 0.01762/1X10-3 =17.62KN/m3
Total volume
3. Dry unit weight(γd);
γd= γb/1+w
γd=17.62/1+0.2880=13.68KN/m3.
4. Void ratio(e);
γd= Gγw
1+e
1+e= Gγw/γd
e= (Gγw/γd)-1=(269X9.81/13.68)-1=0.929
5. The air voids(ηa);
ηa=n.ac
where, ac=1-Sr
Sr=wG/e=0.288X2.69/0.929=0.8339 or 83.39%
ac=1-0.8339=0.1601
n=e/1+e=0.929/1+0.929=0.4815 or 48.15%
ηa=0.4815X0.1601=0.0771 or 7.71%.
6.The saturated unit weight(γsat);
γsat= (G+e) γw= (2.69+0.929)X9.81 = 18.40KN/m3
1+e 1+0.929
7. An earth embankment is to be compacted to a density of 19KN/m3 at a moisture content of 14percent. The in-situ density
and water content of the borrow pit are 18KN/m3 and 8% respectively. How much excavation should be carried out from
the borrow pit for each m3 of the embankment?.
Solution: Given data
Compiled by: Prof.B.S.Chawhan M.Tech(Geo-Tech Engg), Asst.Professor,CED,Government.Engineering College,Haveri-581110(12/4/2011-Till date) 10
a. Borrow pit a. Borrow pit
γb=18KN γb=19KN/m3
w=8 w=14%.
To find; a. Quantity of soil (m3)=? From borrow pit
Procedure:
1.γd= γb/1+w 1. γd= γb/1+w
γd=18/1+0.08=16.67KN/m3. γd=19/1+0.14=16.67KN/m3.
2. The excavation from borrow pit per m3 of embankment is
γd(embankment) =16.67 =1.0
γd(embankment) 16.67
3.γd (embankment) = γd(borrow pit)
1m3 (emb)=1m3 (borrow pit)
Dec/2010
8. The maximum and minimum dry unit weights of sand, determined in the laboratory are 21kN/m3 and 16kN/m3 respectively.
If the relative density of sand is 60%, determine insitu porosity of sand deposit. Take G=2.65.
Ans: a.emax=0.625, b.emin=0.238, c.e=0.3928 and d.n=28.20%
May/June-2010
9. A fully saturated sample has a water content of 25% and unit weight of 20kN/m3. Calculate:
i. Dry unit weight
ii. Specific gravity
iii. Void ratio
iv. Porosity and
v. Its unit weight, when it has S=50%. Use γw=10kN/m3.
Ans: a.γd=16kN/m3, b.G=2.67, c.e=0.67, d.n=40% and,γ=18kN/m3.
Dec.09/Jan.10
10. A soil sample weighing 19kN/m3 has a water content of 30%. The specific gravity of soil particles is 2.68. Determine void
ratio, porosity and degree of saturation.
Ans: a.γd=14.415kN/m3, b.e=0.7988, c.Sr=1, and d.n=44.40%.
Dec.08/Jan.09
11. In an earth embankment under construction the bulk unit is 16.50kN/m3 at water content 11%. If the water content has to
be increased to 15%, compute the quantity of water to be added per cubic meter of soil. Assuming no change in void
ration, determine the degree of saturation at this water content. Take Gs=2.70.
Ans. Given data
a.γ=16.50kN/m3, b.w=11%, c.wincreased=15%, d.Gs=2.70
To find: a.Quantity of water=? In weight and m3, b.Sr=?
Procedure:
1. γd=γb/1+w=14.865kN/m3
2. ww/ws= γd--------------(ws=1m3)
ww=14.865kN
3. ww/ws=11%.
4. ww=0.11x14.865=1.635kN
5. When water content=15%, then
6. ww/ws=0.15, then ww=0.15x14.865=2.30kN
7. Weight of water required to be added to increase water content from 11% to 15%, then
=(2.230-1.635=0.595kN
8. Volume of water to be added=ww/γw=0.595/9.81=0.0606m3
9. γd=G.γw/1+e
14.865=2.70x9.81/1+e, then e=0.782
10. Sr=wG/e=0.15x2.7/0.782x100=51.81%
2002Scheme-May/June-2010
12. A soil sample had a porosity of 40%. The specific gravity of solids is 2.70. calculate
i. Void ratio
ii. Dry density
iii. Unit weight, if the soil is 50% saturated
iv. Unit weight, if the soil is completely saturated.
Ans. a. e=0.667, b. γd=15.89kN/m3,c.w=0.124,d.γ=17.85kN/m3,e.wsat=0.247, and f. γsat=19.81kN/m3.
13. A sample of soil has volume of 1x106mm3 and weights 19N. The water content of the soil 15% and G=2.7. Find i) Dry unit
weight ii) Void ratio iii) degree of saturation iv) water content at saturation. (γw=9.81kN/m3).
Ans.a.γbulk=W/V=19N/1x106=19x10-3/1x10-3=19kN/m3, b.γd=16.52kN/m3, e.=0.603,Sr=67.15%,w=22.33%.
Compiled by: Prof.B.S.Chawhan M.Tech(Geo-Tech Engg), Asst.Professor,CED,Government.Engineering College,Haveri-581110(12/4/2011-Till date) 11
14. The mass of a moist soil sample having a volume of 0.0057m3 is 10.5kg. The moisture content (w) and
the specific gravity of soil solids (Gs) were determined to be 13% and 2.68 respectively. Determine a. Moist density, ρ in
kg/m3, b.Dry density, ρd in kg/m3.,c.Void ratio (e), d.Porosity (n) and f.Degree of saturation.
15. For a saturated soil, given w=40% and Gs=2.71, determine the saturated and dry unit weight in lb/ft3 and KN/m3.
16. The mass of a moist soil sample collected from the field is 465gms, and its oven dry mass is 405.76gms, the specific gravity
of the soil solids was determined In the laboratory to be 2.68. If the void ratio of the soil in the natural state is 0.83, find
the following; a .The moist density of the soil in the field in kg/m3, b. The dry density of the soil in the field in kg/m3, c.The
mass of water in kilograms, to be added per cubic meter of soil in the field for saturation.
17. The maximum and minimum dry density weights of sand determined in the laboratory are 22KN/m3
and 17KN/m3 respectively. If the relative density of the sand is 76%, determine the in-situ porosity of the sand deposit.
Take G=2.67.
18. There are two borrow areas A and B which have soils with void ratios of 0.80 and 0.70, respectively. The inplace water
content is 20%, and 155, respectively. The fill at the end of construction will have a total volume of 10,000m3, bulk density
of 2Mg/m3 and a placement water content of 22%. Determine the volume of the soil required to be excavated from both
areas. G=2.65.
19. a compacted cylindrical specimen, 50 mm dia and 100 mm length, is to be prepared from oven-dry soil. If the specimen is
required to have a water content of 155 and the percentage air voids of 20%, calculate the mass of the soil and water
required for the preparation of the sample. Take G=2.69.
20. A sample of clay was coated with paraffin wax and its mass, including the mass of wax, was found to be 697.5gm. The
sample was immersed in water and the volume of the water displaced was found to be 355ml. The mass of the sample
without wax was 690.0gm, and the water content of the representative specimen was 18%.
21. A moist soil sample weighs 3.52N. After drying in an oven, its weight is reduced to 2.9N. The specific gravity of solids and
the mass specific gravity are, respectively, 2.65 and 1.85. Determine the water content, void ratio, porosity and the degree
of saturation. Take γw=10kN/m3.
22. A soil has a porosity of 40%, the specific gravity of solids of 2.65 and a water content of 12%. Determine the mass of water
required to be added to 100m3 of this soil for full saturation.
23. The dry unit weights of a sand in the loosest and densest states are respectively 1.36 and 2.18gm/cc. Assuming the specific
gravity of solids as 2.67, determine the relative density of sand with porosity of 30%.
24. An earthen dam containing 60million cubic metre of soil at 0.8void ratio is to be constructed. There are four available
borrow pits, which are designated as 1,2,3 and 4. The void ratio of the soil in each pit, and estimated cost of moving the pit
soil to the dam site are given below in table below.
Pit (1) Void ratio (2) Cost of moving per cubic metre of soil Rs. (3)
1 0.90 2.00
2 1.20 1.80
3 1.60 1.70
4 2.00 1.60
25. 3.3lakh cubic metre of soil is removed from a site. This dry soil has an insitu void ratio of 1.20. (a0 How many cubic metre
of a fill having a void ratio of 0.70 could be constructed from this? (b) With 2.70 as the specific gravity of the soil particles,
what will be the weight of the soil moved?.
GOOD-LUCK